https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:29:37 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL As Russia faces a manpower shortage in 2026, reports surface of intoxicated men increasingly being tricked into signing military contracts at local enlistment offices. https://www.rferl.org/a/drunk-sign-here-russia-recruits-intoxicated-men-as-military-manpower-crisis-peaks/33722376.html https://www.rferl.org/a/drunk-sign-here-russia-recruits-intoxicated-men-as-military-manpower-crisis-peaks/33722376.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:20:18 +0200 RussiaFeaturesUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline Criminal prosecutions in Russia over donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation, established by the late opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, have surged roughly 60-fold since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with courts handling at least 90 cases this year alone. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-prosecutions-navalny-anti-corruption-foundation-donations/33630223.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-prosecutions-navalny-anti-corruption-foundation-donations/33630223.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:49:56 +0100 NewsRussiaThe Rundown Stories Authorities are pushing hard to get Russians to switch the daily digital lives to Max, a new, state-backed national messenger app that was rolled out in June. Russians are finding creative ways to resist the switch—but it’s getting harder. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tech-internet-max-messenger-app/33626673.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-tech-internet-max-messenger-app/33626673.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:25:40 +0100 RussiaFeaturesThe Rundown Headline A growing number of Russian regions are slashing the extraordinarily high signing bonuses for men signing up to fight in Ukraine. The move reflects some of the crosscurrents the Kremlin faces as it wages its all-out war, while dealing with a sharply slowing economy. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-recruitment-soldiers-ukraine-war-personnel-bonuses/33572319.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-recruitment-soldiers-ukraine-war-personnel-bonuses/33572319.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 19:00:47 +0100 RussiaFeaturesUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline